Build It Better!
Students design a structure that will withstand and protect people from tornadoes.Copyright Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F5_tornado_Elie_Manitoba_2007.jpg
Students apply their knowledge of tornadoes and resulting damage as they work in groups to design structures intended to withstand and protect people from extremely high winds. Each team creates a poster with the name of its engineering firm and a drawing of its structure. Then, each group presents its posters to the class, explaining its tornado-resisting design features. Two support handouts are provided.
Engineers strive to design structures that can endure tornadoes and protect people from violent wind forces. Following storms, they collect evidence to analyze tornado behavior and find better ways to economically build safer structures in high-risk areas. To test the strength and durability of materials and construction methods, engineers re-create tornado conditions. Creative engineering techniques to tornado-proof structures include improved roof shingles and roof design, well-secured house walls, an anchored foundation, and enhanced building materials.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain that tornadoes affect humans by causing property damage and loss of life.
- Describe the damage to structures caused by the forces associated with tornadoes.
- Explain how and why engineers design new and better buildings to withstand tornadoes.
- Explain the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale of tornado intensity rates.